'SNL': Rudy Giuliani Becomes Birdman in Cold Open

Former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani (Taran Killam) became the hero of Birdman on Saturday Night Live's cold open.

The venerable sketch show depicted Giuliani as despondent following his lessened stature since his post-9/11 heyday. In the sketch, Giuliani spoke via his inner monologue, much like Michael Keaton's character in the Oscar winner for best picture.

"You were almost president — for a few months in 2007, you were the frontrunner," Giuliani told himself.

Then, a winged version of Giuliani appeared and encouraged him to create a minor emergency or pull a fire alarm in order to become a hero again. "Save your thank yous for later," Giuliani told a TV audience as he stepped up to help in the middle of the alarm.